Proteomics

• Proteomics: The study of proteins, especially their structures and functions in the body
• It involves identifying millions of different proteins and determining what their significance or role in the human body

A relatively small protein

• A large organic molecule made out of a combination of 20 amino acids
  • Usually a protein contains anywhere from 50 to hundreds of thousands of amino acids
  • These amino acids are linked one after another forming a long chain that later on take a 3D form
  • Each amino acid has its own unique mass
• Proteins make up 12%-18% of the human body and do many crucial jobs. These include:
  • Forming the structure or frame of tissues, bones, or ligaments
  • Carry oxygen through the body
  • Work as enzymes in the body
  • Move muscles
  • Make up a portion of the immune system (antibodies)

• It can be used to diagnose and treat certain types of cancer
• This is done by identifying certain types of proteins or patterns of proteins in blood or tissue that can be used to detect cancer before it spreads
  • Early detection will help to increase the chances of survival for a cancer patient
• Researchers are mainly concentrating on ovarian and prostate cancer which is hard to diagnose early

1. Preparation
   1. Obtain a Cell
   2. Grow Cells in Mass Numbers
   3. Collect Cells into Test Tube
   4. Add a Buffer Solution
   5. Add Detergent to Separate Proteins from Cell
2. Separation
   1. Separate Proteins by using Gel Electrophoresis
   2. Cut out Proteins from Gel
3. Ionization
   1. Add Restriction Enzymes which cut the Proteins into small chains called Peptides
   2. Add Solution which will Dissolve Peptides to help with transfers
   3. Peptides are then positively charged and slowly attracted through a cone into a negatively charged mass spectrometer
   • A mass spectrometer is a tool that can measure the mass of extremely small particles
4. Mass Spectrometry
   1. Peptides enter a tube with voltage
   2. Specific Peptides respond to the voltage and pass through the tube
   3. Peptides enter another tube filled with inert gases (Nitrogen, Argon, etc)
   4. Peptides crash into gases and split into smaller fragments
   5. The Peptides then enter another chamber which measures the mass of the proteins
5. Analyzing
   1. The Information of the Mass Spectrometer is sent to a computer which creates a Chart
   2. The computer then uses this information to determine the chain of Amino Acids in the Protein based on their Mass

• Some people think that if proteomics is used to identify early cancer, insurance companies might refuse to pay for expensive treatment
• Also, if proteins commonly found in cancer cells are found in your body, potential employers may refuse to hire you.
  • If you develop cancer on the job, the employer wouldn't want to pay your medical bills or compensation.
  • A healthy employee is better then a sick one.

• Proteomics is an extremely complicated process
• Proteins differ between individuals, cell types, and even in the same types of cells depending on cell activity, or disease
• There are between one to ten million different proteins in the human body
  • Proteins make up 12%-18% on the human body
• Each protein is usually made of hundreds of thousands of amino acids
• Few of these proteins have been identified